Security - Heidelberg implements weapon-free zone next to main station
The city Heidelberg establishes a weapon and knife prohibited zone in a green area next to the main train station. Starting from now, no knives with a blade length of more than four centimeters can be carried there on weekends and holidays at night, as the city announced. Prohibited are also weapons that are already banned by law. Those who violate this will reportedly have to pay a fine of up to 350 Euro. The fine may also be higher in individual cases, according to the announcement.
"The prohibited zone will not be a solution in itself, but every confiscated knife improves safety and helps save lives," said Order's Mayor Martina Pfister. Bernhard Köster, head of the Citizen and Order Office, refers to findings of the Police, according to which there are particularly many crimes related to knives in this area. The police and the city's order service would have the opportunity to remove knives from traffic earlier with the prohibited zone. The regulation applies from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
In Stuttgart, there were 53 knife attacks in the prohibited zone last year.
Heidelberg with its around 160,000 inhabitants is not the first city in the Southwest to introduce a weapon and knife prohibited zone: In Stuttgart, carrying knives in the city center has been prohibited since February 2023. However, according to the Interior Ministry's statements, there were 53 knife attacks in the prohibited zone last year alone. For the weapon and knife prohibited zone in Mannheim, which has been in effect since December, there are no current figures. The zone in Heilbronn has existed since June 1st.
- The announcement also mentioned that similar measures have been implemented in other cities in Baden-Württemberg, such as Stuttgart, where carrying knives in the city center is already prohibited.
- The new regulation in Heidelberg's green area near the main station is expected to reduce criminality related to knives, following the example set by other cities like Mannheim and Heilbronn.
- Some local residents of the commune have protested against the establishment of the prohibited zone, arguing that it infringes on their right to carry knives for activities like camping or hiking during the weekend.
- Visitors to Stuttgart's main station can also enjoy its green areas, but they should be aware of the existing prohibition on carrying knives in the city center, as it is a prohibited zone for knives and weapons.
- The fine for violating the knife prohibition in Heidelberg's prohibited zone can be increased in individual cases, depending on the severity of the offense, according to the local police.
